[Mauronic]

I have always imagined that I would build 8020 framed, bamboo-faced overhead cabinets. But I ran across these soft-ish cabinets from Poland and started to rethink that idea. I am seeing a lot of storage pockets inside and out, less head bumping above the bed (although I was thinking about only doing overheads above my feet), and a fast install.

I'd love to hear from folks who have real-world experience with overheads.

The only downside I could imagine would be using the zipper. Maybe not an issue for clothes you only access once in a while? The outside pockets don't seem very deep, even when the snap keepers are undone.

Equipment for MOON BOX Adventure camper 115 cm | vandermoon.com

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Van Der Moon (@vandermoon_eu) • Instagram photos and videos

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VanDer Moon Box - Vanlife Outfitters

The Moon Box is a new way to pack in a van. Designed to be Highly Durable, Ultra Light, & Extremely Convenient.The Moon Box is Top quality, and has over 400 elements that fit together to create the lightest modular piece of furniture in its class available on the market.

www.vanlifeoutfitters.com

 

[Mauronic]

It was super helpful to hear how everyone uses their cabinets. Since I don't have cabinets, I have been living out of duffel bags. I never considered that I would need to put the clothes in something to pack the van and unpack for occasional mid-trip stays at friends' places and rentals.

I like the packing cube idea. I already do a version of that for my SAR stuff using color-coded mesh draw-string bags.

I have some packing cubes lying around, so I will try that on my trip this weekend.

The pockets look slick but seem like overkill. In practice, I would probably not use them. I intentionally buy packs and work pants with as few pockets as possible because I never remember where I put anything. (That's why I like mesh bags and clear packing cubes). I would spend too much time fishing around the pockets. Plus, they don't seem to hold much.

 

[Mauronic]

Did you also also build out @Mauronic so you can install this type of bag?

?

 

[Mauronic]

Oh and another take on this:

Aspen Racks create van cabinets for Transit, Sprinter & ProMaster vans

Aspen Frontiers Racks create cabinets for Transit, Sprinter & ProMaster vans. Hang Aspen Racks to create van cabinets from Patagonia duffels anywhere in your van instead of hard cabinets. Use them as: vanlife storage cabinets, sprinter van cabinets, transit van cabinets, promaster van cabinets...

aspenfrontiers.com

 

[Mauronic]

I assume you installed a fastening system - L track or whatever so you can install these types of bags?
I've got some installed on both ceiling and walls and will prolly go with some mule bags.

oh, I slapped some 8020 up there for my evaporator/blower when I started my undernount AC project. I intended to build an overhead cabinet next to it. Somehow, winter appeared and that got back burnered. There’s a good chance I will redesign it though - I’m not married to it. It was my first 8020 project and it seems overbuilt.

These two supports run halfway down the van:

if I go with the soft cabinets I don’t see a need to make them removable but maybe l-track would still make the job easier.

 

[Mauronic]

We have a set in the shop now- they seem like a super high-quality product. I like the structure to the Van der Moon too: it puts the system somewhere between permanent hard sided overheads and the removable offerings like Campo and Van Wife Components.

I will say the duffel-style hanging bags are great for the family to pack individually in the house and bring their packed overhead to the van ahead of a trip.

Great to hear from a pro. The inside shelf looked a little flimsy in the videos, and it almost looked like it was coroplast. Does that seem OK to you? Also, do the pockets seem useful or too shallow?

I would never remove these so the point for me would be ease of install and a little body part protection while moving around in bed. Does this seem to fit the bill based on your experience?